Short notes.
Shows, I didn't see but bunch of "artists" got on the stage during Tromboranga concert, which kinda spoiled it. Also they didn't play their own songs, but Hector Lavoe covers. There was featuring singer from Venecuela with weird voice, but he had good energy and stage presence. Later I learned that it's his job to be fake Lavoe.
Pinto Picasso I also didn't see, but from what I know it was big spherical dude doing karaoke in high pitched voice for half an hour and talking to people for half an hour. No regrets of missing that, preparties were awesome.
Finishing about voice issues there was high pitched Farid in microphone as well. And Bersy sang so much it was hard to talk next day. Me too, but I slept more.
Workshops, I saw 5 minutes Bersy, she was good. And 5 minutes reggaeton. Good attendance: salsa older crowd, bachata younger.
Sound was good, but too loud at the end. I've noticed it in many events recently so maybe DJs ears are going old and mine. Or could be they're turning volume up all the time and as dancefloor empties people don't soak it up any more.
Now back to Tromboranga, who ever complained about people playing percussion in parties. We had that 3 days and mostly professional musicians and DJs, but not only. One day Palo Pa La Campana started to play and I was looking for a partner. Then I heard intricate cowbell solo which was so fitting song that I looked who's doing it. I went to dance to other side of the room not to get distracted. This is one of many festivals that were saved by Tromboranga.
Music selection I liked, with exception of Fabrizio Zoro, Italian salsa and salsa remixes probably deserve separate thread. It was not very bad, but I did go to sleep early on Saturday because of that. Also last sets 5-6am+ were usually filled with romantica, but that I understand; they want to clear room to clean room.
Dance level ranged from very low - like no rhythm, need support to stand upright, no idea which leg is which, to very high. There were plenty of good Bulgarian and Romanian dancers as well as from other countries, but it took me days to find them. Also as
@Peutetre wrote, a lot of artists and many of them are good dancers. I think if you just took one hour snapshots from event you'd might have opposite opinions, the dancer quality shifted every hour. There was also dynamic with many bachata dancers. I didn't go there, but many people switched rooms and I guess if bachata party went bad, salsa party improved, and other way around.
I discovered new very high level Greek dancer, she was in such demand, that I didn't get to talk much until Sunday. Then turns out she's on the festival posters, lol. Anyway there were enough really good dancers for me to have fun. There were also real artists on the dancefloor, they put up a dance for me, with me, with singing and emotions.
People danced all styles of salsa and it didn't seem to be a problem. Floorcraft was not very good, in general in Southern Europe people don't seem to care about that. I had to push out of the slot camera people, photographers, "artists", etc. Especially around stage there were weird areas, but you've probably seen that in videos.
Weather was cold and a bit rainy. It was bad for beach, but kept dancefloor cool, since it had big doors opening to terrace.
Daily socials were also very good, at times better than night.
I wouldn't go to this festival, if not for live bands. Too expensive, too remote. Zagreb marathon would be of much much higher dancing level, I believe. Since it was my second trip to Bulgaria, I mixed Revolution in and did touristy and vacation things, so overall it was very good experience.
But yes, reminding people a few days or even hours prior to the event os definitely too late for most.
Also, without wanting to hurt anyone's feelings, I guess there just comes a point where a simple shirt change just won't be enough...
